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Austin Reaves Starting Friday Night
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves will return to the starting lineup on Friday in Game 6 against the Houston Rockets. Reaves returned from injury in a bench role in Game 5, though he replaced Luke Kennard in the first unit for the second half. On Friday, Kennard will come off the bench from the start, which will severely limit his fantasy prospects. Reaves did a decent job in his comeback game, but his field-goal efficiency was poor at 25.0 percent. In 34 minutes, he notched 22 points, four rebounds, six assists, and one block.
Source: Los Angeles Lakers
Source: Los Angeles Lakers
Brandon Nimmo Aggravates Hamstring, Pulled Early on Friday
Texas Rangers outfielder Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) left early on Friday in the series opener against the Detroit Tigers in the fourth inning after his second single of the contest after aggravating his hamstring injury, according to Jeff Wilson of All City DLLS. Nimmo also left Wednesday's series finale against the New York Yankees early due to hamstring tightness, which he said is a common occurrence and is manageable. Before hitting the showers early, Nimmo went 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored and a walk to raise his season average over .300 to .302. Ezequiel Duran shifted from second base to right field to replace Nimmo. Even though Nimmo doesn't appear to be very worried about his right hamstring, fantasy managers should at least expect him to sit out of Saturday's contest in Motown. And if Nimmo needs a trip to the injured list, Sam Haggerty could benefit the most from extra playing time in the outfield for the Rangers. Nimmo is a must-roster outfielder in all fantasy leagues as an on-base machine and multi-category contributor at the top of Texas' batting order.
Source: All City DLLS - Jeff Wilson
Source: All City DLLS - Jeff Wilson
Lakers Hope to Retain Luke Kennard in Free Agency
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luke Kennard is approaching unrestricted free agency, but the team wants to negotiate a new deal with him, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. "It is increasingly anticipated leaguewide that the Lakers will want to retain the recently acquired Luke Kennard after his strong first-round series against Houston," Fischer reported on Thursday. With the Lakers' backcourt hampered by injuries, Kennard has averaged 14.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in the first-round series against Houston. He's a major three-point threat and could be useful to the Lakers for years to come. However, fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to sustain his current playoff production during the 2026-27 regular season.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
Suns Want to Keep Dillon Brooks Long-Term
Phoenix Suns guard/forward Dillon Brooks will enter the final season of a four-year contract in 2026-27, but the team wants to keep him around with a new long-term deal. "I do expect to figure out a way to keep Dillon long term," team owner Mat Ishbia told The Burns & Gambo Show, adding he'll be part of a championship in the "next 3-4 years." Coming over from Houston as part of the Kevin Durant trade, Brooks had his first year with the Suns in 2025-26. He took major strides offensively, averaging a career-high 20.2 points per game. The 30-year-old also tallied 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.0 steals. Brooks benefited from Jalen Green's health issues this term and might struggle to replicate his offensive form next season, impacting his fantasy appeal.
Source: Arizona Sports
Source: Arizona Sports
Jamal Shead Joins Starting Lineup Friday
Toronto Raptors point guard Jamal Shead will start Game 6 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday. He will take Brandon Ingram's (heel) place. Shead played well when Ingram exited Game 5 early and isn't a stranger to the first unit. During the regular season, he logged 12 starts, averaging 11.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. The Raptors would love to get similar numbers from Shead on Friday night to boost their chances in the elimination game.
Source: Toronto Raptors
Source: Toronto Raptors
Matt Brash Diagnosed With Lat Inflammation, Could Land on IL
Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (lat) had an MRI exam that showed "trace inflammation" in his right lat, president of baseball operations Justin Hollander told MLB.com's Daniel Kramer. There were no signs of structural damage for Brash. The Mariners are now trying to determine if he'll need to go on the 15-day injured list. Brash was pulled on Wednesday against the Minnesota Twins after throwing just two pitches. The 27-year-old Canadian could need to rest his lat for several weeks, which would be a big blow to Seattle's bullpen. Brash isn't the team's closer (that's Andres Munoz), but he's been excellent in a late-inning setup role and is a fine source of holds. Through his first 11 1/3 innings of 2026, Brash has yet to allow a run while picking up two wins and striking out eight in 14 appearances. If anything were to happen to Munoz, Brash would also be the clear favorite for saves in Seattle. He's currently rostered in 11% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Jayson Tatum OK for Game 7 Against 76ers
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (calf) will play in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night, Marc D'Amico of the Celtics' official site reports. Tatum sat out the fourth quarter of Game 6 due to apparent left calf discomfort. But the team has not listed him on the injury report for Saturday's game. "He'll play," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters on Friday. The 28-year-old is averaging 23.3 points, 10.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in the first-round series. He has logged a double-double in all but one game.
Source: Marc D'Amico
Source: Marc D'Amico
Bryce Miller to Make Next Rehab Start on Wednesday
Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller (shoulder) said the tentative plan right now is for him to make another minor-league rehab start on Wednesday with High-A Everett, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Miller is getting close to rejoining the Mariners' starting rotation to make his 2026 season debut, and fantasy managers looking for rotation upgrades should consider stashing him now. The 27-year-old former fourth-rounder out of Texas A&M in 2021 has looked good on his rehab assignment through three starts, and he threw 36 of his 53 pitches for strikes while tossing four scoreless innings his last time out on Thursday with Triple-A Tacoma. Right now, Miller is rostered in only 29% of Yahoo leagues, so he's widely available. The good news for Miller is that he hasn't dealt with any elbow injuries, which derailed his 2025 campaign. He's worth a look to see if he can rediscover the form he had in 2024 with the M's, when he went 12-8 with a 2.94 ERA and 0.98 WHIP with 171 K's and 45 walks in 180 1/3 innings across his 31 starts. Miller should be back in the big leagues by mid-May.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Joel Embiid Probable for Game 7 Against Celtics
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (abdomen) is probable for Saturday's huge Game 7 matchup against the Boston Celtics. The star big man is expected to make his fourth consecutive appearance after recovering from an appendectomy. While Embiid's field-goal efficiency has been poor and he hasn't done much on the defensive end, his impact in the series has been noticeable. Across 35.7 minutes per game, he has averaged 26.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. Boston should see a lot of Embiid on Saturday night as the two teams jostle for survival.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Giancarlo Stanton Not Cleared to Run, Could Resume Hitting This Weekend
New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (calf) has yet to run after going on the 10-day injured list with a low-grade right-calf strain, manager Aaron Boone told Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The hope is that Stanton resumes hitting this weekend. The last box that Stanton will probably have to check before being cleared to return to the Yankees or go on a minor-league rehab assignment will be to run at full speed. Until that happens, it's hard to say when the right-handed power hitter will return from the IL. Given his lengthy injury history, fantasy managers should expect the Yankees to be cautious. Former top prospect Jasson Dominguez (elbow) was called up from the minors with Stanton hurt, but he suffered an elbow contusion earlier this week and has missed the last two games. Stanton is only rostered in 38% of Yahoo leagues after his injury, but he'll be the team's full-time DH when he returns, and he can still provide useful power numbers in a strong Yankees lineup.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Jonathan Isaac Downgraded to Out
Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac (knee) will remain on the shelf in Game 6 against the Detroit Pistons on Friday. His status has been downgraded from doubtful to out ahead of tip-off. Isaac has missed several weeks due to a left knee sprain, and it's unclear whether he will become an option in the postseason if Orlando takes down Detroit in the first round. Jamal Cain has benefited from Isaac's absence, but his production has been limited to 4.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Gerrit Cole Scheduled to Make Next Rehab Start on Tuesday
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole's (elbow) next scheduled minor-league rehab start will come on Tuesday with High-A Hudson Valley, according to the New York Daily News' Gary Phillips. Cole went 5 2/3 innings in his latest rehab start on Wednesday with Double-A Somerset, but the 35-year-old hasn't exactly looked great so far in the minors as he works his way back from Tommy John surgery early last year that kept him out for all of 2025. The former first overall pick out of UCLA in 2011 has been knocking off the rust with a 4.40 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 10 strikeouts and one walk in his three rehab appearances. Cole is understandably taking a little longer than fellow rotation mate Carlos Rodon (elbow) in his return, and although he's had some trouble with the long ball, Cole remains on track to rejoin New York's rotation in a couple of weeks or so, barring a setback. He's rostered in 84% of Yahoo leagues right now. Cole could be more of a question mark initially as he works his way back from a long layoff, but fantasy managers are willing to gamble on the chance he finds his pre-injury form as an ace.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Kevin Huerter Misses Second Consecutive Game Friday
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Kevin Huerter (adductor) isn't available on Friday against the Orlando Magic. Due to a left adductor strain, he was tagged as questionable on the initial injury report, and the team has downgraded him to out ahead of tip-off. With Huerter out of commission, Caris LeVert and Daniss Jenkins will play leading roles off the bench. However, neither player has made a significant impact in the series and likely won't offer much value to DFS managers.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Carlos Rodon Might Need Only One More Rehab Start
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that it's possible that left-hander Carlos Rodon (elbow) only makes one more minor-league rehab start, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. The plan is for Rodon to pitch on Tuesday at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Barring a setback on Tuesday, that will be his last start in the minors before making his 2026 season debut in pinstripes. The 33-year-old veteran is on the cusp of rejoining the Yankees, and he's looked great so far in his two rehab starts, striking out 12 and walking one while giving up just one run in 9 2/3 innings with High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. Rodon will look to go over 80 pitches with Triple-A next week, so he'll be fully stretched out when he reaches the big leagues. He's coming off surgery last October to remove a bone spur in his left elbow. The three-time All-Star should be scooped up immediately if he's available in your league. Rodon is rostered in 86% of Yahoo leagues already.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Brandon Ingram Out on Friday
Toronto Raptors guard/forward Brandon Ingram (heel) will miss Friday's elimination game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He sat out the second half of Game 5 due to right heel inflammation and won't be available Friday night, after initially being considered questionable for the contest. A.J. Lawson started the second half in Ingram's place in Game 5, but he was limited to just a couple of minutes. Ja'Kobe Walter and Jamal Shead are best positioned to benefit from Ingram's absence. There could also be additional playing time for Jamison Battle.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Vinnie Pasquantino Back in Royals Starting Lineup Against Mariners
Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (back) is starting at first base and batting third for the Royals against the hosting Seattle Mariners and right-hander Bryan Woo in Friday's series opener, according to MLB.com. Pasquantino, who said he has been battling some back injuries for most of the year so far, will return after sitting out each of the last two games with lower-back tightness. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger is a must-roster player in fantasy baseball leagues after his breakout 2025 season, in which he set career-highs in home runs (32), RBI (113), and runs scored (72). He's off to a slow start this year, though, and perhaps it's due to his back problems. Pasquantino returns to the lineup hitting .165 (17-for-103) with three home runs, 14 RBI, 11 runs scored, 16 walks, and 24 strikeouts across 29 games and 124 plate appearances. Fantasy managers hope his back injury doesn't flare up again and that he starts to swing a hotter bat to begin May.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Tobias Harris Cleared to Play Friday
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris (ankle) will be available on Friday night against the Orlando Magic. The team has upgraded the veteran from questionable to available. Harris is dealing with a left ankle sprain, which might slow him down a bit in Game 6. So far in the series, Harris has been one of Detroit's best players, averaging 19.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He has notched at least 20 points in three consecutive contests -- his longest such streak in the postseason since a seven-game run in 2021.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Tyler Soderstrom Returns to A's Lineup After Getting Banged Up
Athletics first baseman/outfielder Tyler Soderstrom (head, shoulder) is back in left field and will hit sixth in the batting order for Friday's series opener against the visiting Cleveland Guardians and left-hander Joey Cantillo, according to MLB.com. Even with a left-hander on the mound, Soderstrom will return to the A's starting nine after sitting out the last two games because he was banged up from a diving catch in the outfield on Tuesday. The 24-year-old left-handed slugger won't be the most popular DFS play on Friday night, even with the A's at home at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Soderstrom has hit just .211 (23-for-109) on the season with three home runs, 18 RBI, 14 runs scored, and a steal. He's really struggled against lefties, too, going 3-for-34 (.088) against them with none of his three home runs, two walks, and 11 strikeouts in 36 plate appearances. Soderstrom will be facing Cantillo for the first time in his career.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kevin Durant Officially Out for Game 6
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (ankle) has been officially ruled out for Game 6 against the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Initially, the team listed him as doubtful for the contest. However, media reports on Thursday already suggested that Durant won't be available on Friday night. His next chance to return will be on Sunday if Houston survives another elimination game. Reed Sheppard will continue to ride with the starters, while Tari Eason and Jabari Smith Jr. have taken on extra work during Durant's absence.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
Michael Harris II Out Again With Quad Injury
Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II (quadriceps) remains out of the team's starting lineup for Friday's series opener in Denver against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, per MLB.com. Mauricio Dubon is starting in center field for Atlanta and will bat fifth against Rockies veteran left-hander Jose Quintana. Jorge Mateo is starting at the 6 for the Braves. Harris is being considered day-to-day for now, but if he cannot return during the weekend series in Colorado, he could land on the 10-day injured list after coming down with quadriceps tightness the other day. It's a really bad time for the 25-year-old to be injured after his really hot start to the 2026 season. Going into Friday's games, Harris is slashing .317/.352/.535 with an .887 OPS, six home runs, 20 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two stolen bases in 101 at-bats. Both Dubon and Eli White are options to replace Harris in center field for the Braves if he continues to miss time beyond Friday's contest. Fantasy managers should check back on Saturday for an update on Harris and to see if he's back in the lineup for Game 2 in Denver.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Ryan Helsley Placed on Injured List With Elbow Inflammation
Baltimore Orioles right-handed closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Friday with right-elbow inflammation, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. This one is a bit of a surprise after Helsley looked fine in his last outing, when he locked down his seventh save of the year with a perfect ninth inning. It's quite a big shakeup in fantasy baseball leagues and will give managers a chance to poach some saves off the waiver wire for at least the next couple of weeks. It's unclear how Baltimore will approach save situations going forward, but they will most likely go with a committee approach that could involve all of Andrew Kittredge, Rico Garcia, Anthony Nunez, and Yennier Cano. Kittredge has the most experience (nine-plus seasons in the big leagues), but Garcia, Nunez, and Cano have all pitched extremely well this year and deserve opportunities as well. Garcia is probably your best bet if you're speculating, and he's currently rostered in 18% of Yahoo leagues. Helsley should be stashed in an IL spot in all leagues in what is looking like a bounce-back 2026 campaign. UPDATE: Imaging on Helsley's right elbow came back clean on Friday.
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Source: MLB.com - Jake Rill
Dylan Holloway Signs Five-Year Extension With Blues
St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway signed a five-year, $38.75 million contract extension on Friday. He was headed for restricted free agency before agreeing to a new deal with the Blues, who acquired him via an offer sheet from the Edmonton Oilers in 2024. Holloway has been a great fit in St. Louis, though health issues affected his 2025-26 campaign. He made only 59 appearances, recording 22 goals and 51 points. Since joining the Blues, Holloway has averaged 0.84 points and 2.16 hits per game, making him a valuable fantasy option across many formats.
Source: NHL.com
Source: NHL.com
Barrett Hayton, Jack McBain Iffy for Friday
Utah Mammoth forwards Barrett Hayton (upper body) and Jack McBain (undisclosed) are both considered game-time decisions on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Brogan Houston of the Deseret News reports. Some other players on the team are also dealing with health issues, but Mammoth head coach Andre Tourigny mentioned only Hayton and McBain by name as game-time decisions. Hayton made a surprise return from an upper-body injury in Game 5, logging 12:49 of ice time in his first outing since March 24. McBain has also dealt with health issues late in the season. He re-entered the lineup for the series opener but hasn't played since. Utah's injury issues up front might open the door for Liam O'Brien to rejoin the lineup.
Source: Brogan Houston
Source: Brogan Houston
Logan Stanley a Game-Time Decision Friday
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Logan Stanley (illness) is a game-time decision for Friday's tilt against the Buffalo Sabres, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports. The towering 6-foot-7 blue-liner is dealing with an illness and couldn't practice on Thursday. This season, Stanley took a big leap offensively, recording 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 76 games split between the Sabres and Winnipeg Jets. He hasn't yet made it on the score sheet in five playoff games. Without the puck, Stanley has registered six blocks and six hits in 13:52 of ice time per game. The Sabres plan to use Michael Kesselring as Stanley's replacement if needed.
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Source: Amalie Benjamin
Viktor Arvidsson Ruled Out Friday
Boston Bruins winger Viktor Arvidsson (upper body) won't play in Friday's Game 6 matchup with the Buffalo Sabres, WEEI's Scott McLaughlin reports. His absence was expected after Bruins head coach Marco Strum labeled Arvidsson doubtful for the game earlier this week. The Swedish forward was injured last weekend in Game 4 of the first-round series. Michael Eyssimont replaced Arvidsson in Tuesday's Game 5 and will likely continue in a bottom-six role on Friday. In Game 5, Eyssimont logged 12:53 of ice time but didn't register any offensive stats. He had one block and two hits.
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Source: Scott McLaughlin
Nicholas Paul Set to Return Friday
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nicholas Paul (illness) is expected to return to the lineup for Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday, Diandra Loux of The Hockey News reports. After sitting out Game 5 due to illness, Paul participated fully in Friday's morning skate, signaling that he is ready to return. Conor Geekie will be scratched to accommodate Paul's return. In four postseason appearances, Paul hasn't registered any points, but he's won a hugely impressive 65.6 percent of his faceoffs. The veteran will also give the Lightning some added muscle, having averaged 3.25 hits per game during the first round.
Source: Diandra Loux
Source: Diandra Loux
Charle-Edouard D'Astous Ready for Action Friday
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Charle-Edouard D'Astous (undisclosed) is set to rejoin the lineup in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, Eduardo A. Encina of the Tampa Bay Times reports. D'Astous has been unavailable to the Lightning since suffering an undisclosed injury in Game 1 against the Canadiens. His return will bump Maxwell Crozier to the press box. D'Astous adds physicality to the Lightning lineup and can chip in offensively. He finished the regular season with 29 points (six goals, 23 assists), 80 SOG, 74 blocks, 96 hits, and 112 penalty minutes in 70 outings.
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Source: Eduardo A. Encina
Victor Hedman to Be an Option "Really Soon"
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (personal) is close to returning to action but will remain out on Friday in Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reports. "He's going to be an option really soon," Lightning head coach Jon Cooper told reporters Friday morning. Hedman hasn't played since March 19. He first dropped out of the lineup due to illness and soon afterward took a personal leave. If Tampa doesn't win Friday night, Hedman won't get another chance to return this season. Darren Raddysh will continue to play a huge role on the blue line in Friday's elimination game.
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Source: Pierre LeBrun
Is Ja'Marr Chase the Obvious Dynasty WR1 Entering 2026?
Five years into his NFL career, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is well-established as arguably the best pass-catcher in football. The 26-year-old is coming off another highly productive season in 2025, hauling in 125 receptions for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns on 185 targets across 16 games. While Chase wasn't able to replicate his 1,700-yard, 17-touchdown season from 2024, he still led the NFL in targets and put up monster numbers despite playing nine games with star Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who missed time due to a toe injury. With Burrow fully healthy, Chase has a case to be valued as the WR1 in fantasy for the 2026 season. Even if Burrow suffers another injury, Chase has proven the ability to be an elite producer, particularly in PPR-scoring formats. Coming off back-to-back first-team All-Pro seasons, Chase might currently profile as the highest-floor and highest-ceiling dynasty wide receiver in fantasy football.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Justin Verlander to Throw Another Bullpen, Still Not "Asymptomatic"
Detroit Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander (hip) will throw another bullpen session in his rehab, and he's taking steps forward, but he's still not "asymptomatic," according to Evan Woodbery of MLive Media Group. There has been no talk of sending Verlander on a minor-league rehab assignment. The 43-year-old's body just isn't responding the way he'd like it to as he nears the end of his outstanding and likely Hall of Fame career. Verlander doesn't seem much closer to returning from the 15-day injured list. He missed all of April and doesn't have a clear path to a speedy recovery. The former MVP, three-time Cy Young winner, and nine-time All-Star is clearly running out of steam and has had a tough time staying healthy in recent years. In his lone start in 2026 against the Arizona Diamondbacks on March 30, he allowed five earned runs on six hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out only one in 3 2/3 innings. Verlander is now rostered in just 5% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
Source: MLive Media Group - Evan Woodbery
